My world, my eyes, my soul
I am staring at this human village not far from my tree. It is so noisy down there, but then I see three men approaching, roaring with laughter. I am all of a sudden numb; I can’t move. All of it brings back deeply hidden memories. “MOMMY! YOU CAN’T DIE! Please don’t leave me all alone. I need you.” I couldn’t believe what was happening. Mommy fell to the ground with a gaping hole in her chest.
Everything around me was falling apart. “Please leave! Don’t stay! Mommy is tired….” She breathed with difficulty but managed to whisper those last words: “Leave now! Run… Those men will not take pity on a baby tiger” Her eyes filled with tears as she hushed, “Live my son, survive, and you know that mommy will always love you, right… I love you, my little….” Silence filled my ears, and yet I could feel the scream of those guns firing around me.
I couldn’t bring my tiny legs to start running through those so familiar yet terrifying forests. No matter how fast I ran, I could never escape those screams, gunshots, and branches scratching my eyes. I was so scared, so cold. I had no idea where to go, what to do, or how to survive. A baby tiger alone without any protection could fall prey to so many. How was I meant to survive? And here I am today, running away again; Terrified to fall into the hands of those savages.
I am not as strong or fast as I was in my youth, and I am starting to run out of breath. My executioners are closing in on me. As my last hope, I throw myself into the nearby river, hoping they won’t follow. I turn around to make sure but see them raising those firing sticks humans call rifles.
I know I won’t survive today, and for a moment, time stands still. I slowly face one of the Men and sit. “Hear my story,” my eyes plead. “Please listen to me,” I remember. I reminded myself of my identity. I am a tiger. The most adored yet feared animal of them all. I was the ruler of the forest, and this I shall remain. So many memories swam to the surface.
The Man lowered his weapon and seemed unable to look away. “Son of Man, my beloved world is being torn apart. Those humans who have murdered my mother in cold blood, I have seen them do the same to other tigers. Countless bodies were later taken away to be made into luxury rags. If that weren’t enough, humans have destroyed my habitat, my trees, and my food source. I am not a man-eater.
The Man is the one destroying my home. When will they realize? All I want is a future where we can live together in harmony—this undefinable moment between the Son of man and me lasted for what seemed forever. Tears flowed down my tiger’s eyes. He raised his rifle again and shot.
Number of Tigers in 1900: 100,000
In 2023: 3,900
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